I have been a Christian for 40 years and I have been a Pastor for 30 of those years. I have never heard so many reasons given for how a person can know that Heaven is their home.

One of the saddest texts in the Bible is found in Matthew 7:22-23 “Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”

These people were not like many I meet today that cannot even profess to have done the things mentioned in v.22

However, Eph. 2:8-9 gives a clear presentation of the Gospel stating, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

Tit 3:5 states, “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;”

I have had several encounters lately where the persons have told me of their own “way” to heaven, and what is disturbing to me as a Bible believer is that most are fully confident that their “way” is just as good as anyone’s “way.”

Some of the recent responses have pointed to their own “homemade” Christianity. In fact, one person, after telling me he had his own way, told me that he did not have a problem with other people having their own way. My response was, “So, every clock is right and any instructions will work on any thing?” I gave an illustration in a message last week along that line. If we can choose which clock we want to go by, though one is 30 minutes off, who is the boss to correct us? My clock is just as good as his.

Isn’t it amazing that in the classrooms of America, many of the instructors will be dogmatic about math, biology, chemistry and yet when it comes to eternal truth, they will say, we cannot know or be sure.

There is a basis for belief in the laws of science, and there is a basis for belief in Salvation.

Many people will readily admit that there must be a “God” or a “Supreme Being” somewhere, but will doubt that He has communicated His plan to man. Heb 1:1-2 “God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;”

Many times in talking with people about the things of God, I have asked, “Do you believe in Heaven and Hell?” and have had most to reply “Yes.” What is striking about that is that they believe what could have only been revealed in the Bible, yet the same Bible introduces us the God of Heaven. Heb 11:6 “But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.”

It has become commonplace in America especially, to believe in a generic god. Some even teach that there is one god, yet they try to make Him the one god of all religions (small “g“ used for emphasis). It is impossible for the One True God to be a “Campbell Soup god” with all of the different religions mixed in so as not to offend anyone by demanding He be a “Narrow God” on of those who believe in Jesus. Acts 4:12 “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”

Some of the answers I have received over the years when I ask “If you were to die today, do you know where you will go” will amaze you.

Here are just a few of the responses that are not Scriptural:

1. I was raised in a Christian home.2. I keep the commandments. 3. I was baptized. 4. I was confirmed. 5. I have always believed in God or I have been a Christian since I was born. 6. My (father, grandfather, uncle, etc) was a preacher.7. I was saved in a foxhole. Most of the time, when I ask how? The answer is about his life being saved.8. I joined the church. 9. I have even had some to say, “I am not a sinner” to which the spouse looked on in total amazement and disbelief. 10. I have been in church all my life.

These are only a few of the answers I have received. Now, here is the truth: Not one of these things will bring true Salvation.

In some of these instances, when I am allowed to explain the error of believing an unscriptural method of salvation and then giving Biblical answers as to how anyone can know for sure, I am then told, “Oh, I did that years ago.” A genuine understanding of Salvation and a genuine experience of Salvation cannot be forgotten. Would you forget someone who saved your or your child from drowning? Would you forget someone who stopped to warn you of your house being on fire while you were asleep? Rom. 10:9-13 “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on Him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon Him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

There is only one way to be saved and only one way to Heaven…John 14:6 “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.”I would like to point out that in Matthew 7:22-23 the people were totally shocked that they were denied Heaven and in fact sent away from Christ, having Him say, “I never knew you: depart from Me…”

If you have not had a genuine experience of Salvation through faith in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ, you must be born again. (John 3:1-16) Salvation is only possible through the shedding of the blood of Christ Jesus for our sin, and for our Salvation. Read Rom. 3:24-25 “Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: “Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare His righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;”Col 1:14 “In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:”

Make sure your are Saved the Bible way. Only then can we know that we have eternal life!

1 John 5:13 “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.”